Description
This Harry Potter Cake is a moist and rich vegan chocolate cake inspired by the iconic Hogwarts birthday treat. Made with a blend of cocoa, instant coffee, and classic cake ingredients, it is layered and frosted with vibrant pink and green vegan vanilla frosting, perfect for Harry Potter fans and special occasions alike.
Ingredients
Cake Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar (30mL)
- 1 cup soy milk (or other vegan milk – 240mL)
- 1 ¾ cups cane sugar (350g)
- 2 cups all-purpose flour (240g)
- ¾ cup unsweetened cocoa powder (60g)
- 1 teaspoon baking powder (5g)
- 2 teaspoons baking soda (10g)
- 1 teaspoon sea salt (5g)
- ½ cup unsweetened applesauce (120mL)
- ½ cup + 2 teaspoons neutral oil (e.g. canola, sunflower – 110mL)
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract (10mL)
- 1 cup boiling water (240mL)
- 1 tablespoon instant coffee (6g)
Frosting and Decoration
- 1 batch vanilla frosting
- Pink food coloring (natural like beet powder or plant-based)
- Green food coloring
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (180°C) to ensure it’s at the right temperature for baking the cakes.
- Prepare Pans: Grease and flour two 9-inch (23 cm) round cake pans, then line the bottoms with parchment paper circles to prevent sticking and ensure easy removal.
- Make Vegan Buttermilk: In a small bowl, whisk together the soy milk and apple cider vinegar. Let it sit for 5–10 minutes until it curdles to create a vegan buttermilk substitute.
- Combine Dry Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, whisk together cane sugar, all-purpose flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, baking soda, and sea salt until evenly mixed.
- Add Wet Ingredients: Add the soy milk mixture, unsweetened applesauce, neutral oil, and vanilla extract to the dry ingredients and stir to combine.
- Prepare Coffee Mixture: In a small bowl, mix the boiling water and instant coffee until dissolved, then quickly pour it into the batter.
- Mix Batter: Using an electric mixer, beat the batter on medium speed for 2 minutes until fully combined. Scrape down the bowl sides and stir once more by hand to ensure uniform mixing.
- Divide Batter: Evenly divide the batter between the two prepared pans, smoothing the tops lightly.
- Bake Cakes: Bake in the preheated oven for about 27 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
- Cool in Pans: Let the cakes cool in their pans on a wire rack for 30–60 minutes to set the crumb.
- Remove from Pans: Run a butter knife around the edges, then carefully invert the cakes and transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely.
- Tint Frosting: Divide the vanilla frosting; tint most of it light pink using beet powder or plant-based pink food coloring. Reserve a small portion and tint it green for piping.
- Assemble Cake: Place one cake layer on a serving plate or cake stand, spread a layer of pink frosting evenly over it.
- Top and Frost: Add the second cake layer on top and cover the entire cake (top and sides) with the remaining pink frosting. The frosting should look rustic and homemade, mimicking Hagrid’s style.
- Pipe Message: Using a piping bag fitted with a small round tip (or a ziplock bag with a snipped corner), pipe the message “Happee Birthdae Harry” on top of the cake in green frosting for authentic decoration.
Notes
- The use of apple cider vinegar with soy milk creates a vegan buttermilk substitute that reacts with baking soda for a light texture.
- Boiling water combined with instant coffee intensifies the chocolate flavor without adding bitterness.
- Beet powder or plant-based food coloring helps keep the frosting natural and vegan-friendly.
- Letting the cakes cool completely before frosting prevents melting or sliding of the frosting layers.
- For best results, use neutral oil like canola or sunflower for a clean taste.
- This cake is entirely vegan, so suitable for those avoiding animal products.
- Prep Time: 25 minutes
- Cook Time: 27 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
